Featured Headlines

Delta variant takes hold in U.S. as coronavirus cases rise nearly 70 percent – Washington Post

Federal health officials sounded an alarm Friday about a surge in U.S. coronavirus infections fueled by the twin threats posed by the highly transmissible delta variant and a stagnation in efforts to vaccinate as many Americans as possible.

Delta COVID variant now dominant strain worldwide, U.S. deaths surge – Reuters

The Delta variant of COVID-19 is now the dominant strain worldwide, accompanied by a surge of deaths around the United States almost entirely among unvaccinated people, U.S. officials said on Friday.

Nightclubs Reopen as England Ditches Most Covid-19 Curbs Amid Delta Surge – WSJ

As the clock struck midnight Sunday, nightclubs across England opened their doors and partygoers ditched their face masks and streamed in as the country lifted almost all Covid-19 restrictions despite a surge in new infections linked to the Delta variant.

After Sydney, Melbourne Forced To Extend Lockdown As Australia Continues To Fight Delta Variant Outbreak – Forbes

Australian authorities announced an extension of the Covid-19 lockdown in the state of Victoria, and its capital Melbourne, as the country’s two most populous cities and their surrounding areas fight to control a Delta variant-fueled outbreak that threatens to upend Australia’s earlier success in controlling the pandemic.

‘Pandemic Of The Unvaccinated’: CDC Says Delta Variant May Warrant Local Mask Mandates – Forbes

Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Friday that municipalities with low rates of vaccination and increasing coronavirus case numbers should consider imposing mask mandates, warning that the rapidly spreading Delta variant is causing a “pandemic of the unvaccinated.”

Why have COVID-19 cases suddenly surged in Australia? – Medical News Today

Australia is trying its utmost to contain fresh outbreaks of COVID-19. Most of the country has entered into new snap lockdowns, as cases of the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 spread across several cities. Darwin, Perth, and Brisbane emerged from lockdowns over the weekend.

Indonesia reports record number of doctor deaths from COVID-19 in July – Reuters

Deaths of doctors from COVID-19 in Indonesia rose sharply in the first half of July, according to the profession’s association, as the Delta variant of the coronavirus fuelled a surge in infections across the country.

Are Patients Spreading SARS-CoV-2 to Their Hospital Roommates? – MedPageToday

One of the most important questions with any infectious disease, but particularly novel ones like SARS-CoV-2, is the mechanism and efficiency by which it spreads. From the beginning of the pandemic, there have been varied estimates of SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates and debate about whether it spreads predominantly through droplets versus aerosols.

U.K. Set for Big Reopening as Cases Soar Most in the World – Bloomberg

Boris Johnson’s plan to get the U.K. back to normal is at risk of being derailed amid a public outcry over his attempt to dodge pandemic isolation rules, as Covid-19 cases soar the most in the world.

Canada to open border to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens on Aug. 9 – Washington Post

Canada on Monday said it would begin to ease pandemic restrictions at the U.S.-Canada border next month, allowing U.S. citizens and permanent residents in the United States who are fully vaccinated with Canadian-authorized vaccines to enter for nonessential travel without quarantining.

All children should wear masks in school this fall, even if vaccinated, according to pediatrics group – NBC News

The American Academy of Pediatrics is calling the new guidance a “layered approach.”

Vaccine Headlines

Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine: What to know about side effects – Medical News Today

Vaxzevria, the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca, may cause some of the mostly mild-to-moderate side effects that people often encounter after any vaccination. However, there are also some recent controversies surrounding rare blood clotting incidents linked to this vaccine.

Clinical Considerations

Heart medications do not affect COVID-19 outcomes, study finds – Medical News Today

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, one of the most striking observations was the wide variety of health outcomes among people who developed the underlying viral infection. For people taking drugs to manage cardiovascular disease, the lack of knowledge about possible interactions between COVID-19 and the cardiovascular system can be a source of concern.

Why Impact of ‘Long Covid’ Could Outlast the Pandemic – Bloomberg

Millions of people who have gotten Covid-19 and survived are finding that a full recovery can be frustratingly elusive. Weeks or even months after seemingly recovering from even a mild case, many patients still confront a wide range of health problems. As researchers try to measure the duration and depth of what’s being called “long Covid,” a growing number of specialized, post–acute Covid clinics are opening to handle the patients. The scale of the pandemic and persistence for some of Covid’s disabling effects mean the economic pain and drain on health resources could continue well after the contagion ends.

‘Horrific’: 2 unvaccinated Covid patients require lung transplant, partial lung removal – NBC News

“I just don’t want anyone else to go through this”: The family of one of the men speaks out to encourage people to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Psychological and Sociological Impact

Wellness Resorts Eye Long Covid Treatments as New Moneymaker – Bloomberg

From colonic cleanses to brain modulation to nutrient-rich IV drips, spas are coming up with all sorts of (costly) ways to treat symptoms of long Covid. An example here

The Pain of the Never-Ending Work Check-In – WSJ

Meeting burnout got worse in the pandemic; hybrid schedules could make things even messier

Thanks for this James!